Defense department spokesman Peter Galvezgar INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines –The Defense Department on Tuesday said the murder of the transgender in Olongapo at the hands of a US marine was an isolated case and should not be connected to the relations between the Philippines and the US.
“This is an isolated case, albeit a tragic one,” said Peter Paul Galvez, DND spokesman.
“This is an unfortunate incident and the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jeffrey Laude.”
Galvez said the homicide and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement should be looked taken separately after the Philippine-American agreement was dragged into crime.
“The exercises and the homicide are two different issues let us look at it at proper perspectives,” Galvez said.
On Saturday, Laude was found dead in an Olongapo hotel with a US Marine tagged as a suspect. The American serviceman was later identified as Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton.
American Marines and Navy personnel are in the country after participating in Phiblex, a bilateral war exercises between the US and the Philippines.
Galvez also defended the exercise and Edca, saying that without the Americans, there would be no help in developing the naval capabilities of the Philippines.
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